August 19, 2009Reader Question: my staff wants to be informed

Filed under: Ask Meryl by merylrunion |

Meryl, My staff is upset with my manager because he asked them to leave so he could meet with me privately. In the past, sensitive issues have gotten out and since my manager doesn’t know who leaked, he isn’t as willing to share info with my staff as he once did.

One of my employees is so angry she refused to sign a birthday card to him. I’d like to help her see my manager’s perspective. What do you suggest?

Response,

Let’s look at facts, impact, need and request.

Facts: Sensitive information gets out when staffers are informed. This does not happen when only the leadership team is informed.

Impact: Since your manager does not know who is responsible, he is not willing to share sensitive information with staff.

Need: Your manager needs to protect information.

Request: How would your employees suggest he do that? What would they do in his shoes?

I suggest you say/ask,

Sensitive information gets out when staffers are informed. This does not happen when only the leadership team is informed. Since my manager does not know who is responsible, he feels the need to exclude all staffers from the discussions. How would you suggest he handle sensitive information to avoid leaks?

Who knows – they just might have an idea of how he can be more inclusive without jeopardizing confidentiality. Tell me what you think!

As a postscript, your staff sounds like they have a sense of entitlement. If you really wanted to get to what is more the core of the issue, I suggest you talk to them about that. That would rock the boat a bit…

Tell me how it goes!